Shootings, drownings claim at least seven lives during long weekend in Ontario

The Canada Day long weekend has proved hazardous in Ontario as a series of drownings, accidents and shootings claimed at least seven lives.

In Toronto, a 21-year-old man was shot in Woodbine Beach area just moments after the Canada Day fireworks wrapped up in the city’s east side Sunday night.

The shooting occurred at about 10:30 p.m near Winner’s circle and Lake Shore Boulevard. The man, whose name has not been released, was taken to hospital in serious condition.

The victim is not cooperating with police, Staff Sgt. Grant Burningham said. Police have not released the names of any suspects.

Another incident left one man in serious condition after being shot at a late-night party in North York.

Toronto police were called to an industrial unit at 101 Toro Rd near the intersection of Keele Street and Finch Avenue West shortly after 1 a.m.

The man was rushed to Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and is in serious condition. Police are looking for one suspect.

Peel Regional Police are investigating two separate incidents which resulted in two deaths. One man is dead after being shot following a large party early Sunday morning.

Dennis Alexander, 25, was taken to hospital with a gunshot wound but later died of his injuries. Police arrived at the home on Brandon Gate Drive shortly after 2 a.m. Homicide investigators were interviewing the victim’s friends but do not have any suspects.

A second death brought the Hazmat team to a Mississauga Valley Road apartment complex. The team was called in after a potentially harmful substance was reported. The body of a man was removed from the apartment. Police are not releasing any more details. The name of the victim has not been released.

DROWNINGS CLAIM FIVE LIVES, TWO MISSING

The weekend also saw a spike in drownings with as many as seven incidents occurring across the province.

GTA police pulled the body of a 27-year-old man from the Welland River Sunday night. According to witnesses the man had been struggling to swim in the current before disappearing below the surface.

A second 27-year-old man was found unconscious by Police in Lake Huron near Grand Bend. Emergency staff were unable to revive him.

Another incident in Lake Huron has left a 79-year-old man dead. The man was swimming in near Saugeen Shores when his spouse said he stopped moving.

In Ottawa, one man is dead and another is feared drowned after the two went missing in the Ottawa River on Sunday. The two men, aged 21 and 26, went to the river Saturday night. The body was recovered near Deschenes Rapids. Police said alcohol may have been a factor.

None of the victims’ names have been released.

Peterborough Police recovered the body of a man who drowned in a local lake on Sunday.

The body of Charles Urqhart, 30, was pulled from Little Lake near the Peterborough Art Gallery. Police said the incident appears to have been a “tragic accident.”

In another incident, a 19-year-old man is still missing after falling into Port Dalhousie near Lakeport road in St. Catharines.

CAR ACCIDENT KILLS YOUNG MAN

A 20-year-old West Lincoln man is dead after a single car accident on Lakeshore Road in the Township of Wainfleet.

The driver, who’s identity is being withheld pending notification of his family, lost control of the vehicle during a turn, causing the car to roll. The man was thrown from the vehicle and despite efforts from emergency services, died on scene.

Three passengers including 19-year-old Dunnville man, an 18-year-old West Lincoln female, and a 19-year-old West Lincoln man were taken to hospital and later released.